The Grimlore Game

The Grimlore Game #1

by Kalyn Josephson

A brand-new cozy gothic series that’s The Inheritance Games for middle grade readers—filled with family curses, talking cats, and clever clues!

“Mix Mr. Lemoncello with Wednesday Addams, and you’ll end up with the dark fun of The Grimlore Game!”—Chris Grabenstein, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mr. Lemoncello's Library series

SOLVE THE PUZZLES. SURVIVE THE GAME.

Orphan Kit Devlin knows two things for sure about her scheming

1) They’re cursed, with someone doomed to croak every three years like clockwork.
2) They only care about one themselves.

When wealthy Grandpa Ambrose dies, all the Devlins come running to his remote manor for their piece of the inheritance—only to find a mysterious, magical game instead. Whoever solves his riddles will win his fortune. But everything is not what it seems, like the crimson-eyed cat who only talks to Kit and the misfit cousin with secrets to hide. As the clues grow more perilous, Kit learns there’s more to the family curse—and her spellbinding connection to it—than she ever suspected. If she wants answers, she has to survive the game… and win. 

"Gothic, twisty, and so much fun."—Lindsay Currie, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Mystery of Locked Rooms

“[This] house full of mysteries and magical curses had me hooked from page one.” —Jen Calonita, New York Times bestselling author of Isle of Ever

Genres: Middle Grade, Mystery, Childrens

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2026

About the author

Kalyn Josephson is the NYT bestselling author of THE STORM CROW duology, RAVENFALL series, and upcoming THIS DARK DESCENT. By day, she's a Technical Writer, which leaves room for too many bad puns about technically being a writer. She lives in the Bay Area with two black cats (who are more like a tiny dragon and an even tinier owl).

Reviews

[MikaReadsFantasy]

DNF at 60 %
Kalyn Josephson’s The Grimlore Game had a premise that immediately intrigued me, but unfortunately, the actual game did not work for me as well as I had hoped.

When thirteen-year-old Kit Devlin is thrown into a competition against her extended family to inherit her late grandfather’s fortune, she discovers that the mysterious clues hidden throughout his gothic manor are connected to an ancient family curse.

I went into this expecting more of a traditional puzzle mystery, but The Grimlore Game is much more magical and fantastical than I anticipated. The manor is packed with magical traps, riddles, and talking animals, which made the whole experience feel more like a magical clue hunt than a mystery. Unfortunately, I struggled to buy into the world. The talking animals in particular were difficult for me to reconcile with the story, especially since they secretly perform mundane household chores every day while the adults somehow remain oblivious to them.

I also had a hard time connecting with the characters. I didn’t particularly like any of the side characters, and Kit’s extended family was so unpleasant that I actually found myself hoping she would lose the game. I kept thinking that perhaps it would be better for Kit to become “useless” to her family and finally get the chance to build a life away from all of them.

Ultimately, I stopped reading at around 60%. I can definitely see this working for a younger audience that enjoys magic-filled adventures, fantastical puzzles, and mysterious houses, but unfortunately, the world and characters never came together for me. This one just wasn’t my cup of tea.

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a middle grade mystery with The Inheritance Games vibes, but with a completely different twist, this one absolutely delivers.

I really enjoyed this—not just as someone reviewing it for the middle grade audience, but simply as a reader. It was engaging, entertaining, and had that perfect combination of clues, mystery, and magic that kept me invested. I definitely got the promised Inheritance Games vibes, but the story took that familiar setup in a completely unique direction. This had been on my radar for a while, so I was especially excited when it became available through the Penguin Random House Audio app, which influencers have complimentary access to.

The audiobook was narrated by Kathleen McInerney, and she did a great job bringing the characters to life. She handled the various voices and different ages really well, and I especially enjoyed her tone and pacing. My one pet peeve was a mispronunciation of a word that appeared several times throughout the book, but honestly, it happens! More importantly, her inflections remained intact even at my preferred 1.75x speed, which made for a really enjoyable listening experience.

At 6 hours and 21 minutes at 1x speed, this is a relatively quick listen and one I think middle grade readers will fly through. It has a cozy quality while still giving readers plenty of clues to piece together alongside FMC Kit Devlin. Kit is also a heroine I think younger readers will really connect with, particularly those who may be living in nontraditional circumstances. She is strong-willed, intelligent, inquisitive, and resilient, making her an easy character to root for and look up to.

This is definitely one I’ll be recommending to school and public librarians in my area, as well as to students and parents. If you have a middle grade reader who loves mysteries, puzzles, magic, and following a clever heroine as she tries to put the pieces together, I think this would be a great book to put in their hands.

[Dawn Michelle]

9.28.2026
DNF@10%
Kindle/NetGalley ARC [NLO]
QPL Audiobook
Children's - Middle Grade/Fantasy/Mystery

Ooof, this one hurts. A lot. I L O V E D the "Ravenfall" series and was so looking forward to this book. Unfortunately, both the book AND the narrator didn't work for me, I found ALL the characters unlikable and mean, and I finally just had to quit. I am very, very, disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kalyn Josephson, and Random House Children's Books/Delacorte Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Danielle Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a physical ARC of this book from a local bookstore.

4.5⭐️ - this book was such a delightful surprise! I loved the puzzles and the inheritance game and gothic vibes. I’m happy this will be a series!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copy provided by the publisher

Kit Devlin has good reason to adopt an all black wardrobe, a snarky attitude, and a pet spider, Gregor. The entire Devlin family is cursed, and both of her parents have succumbed to it. Kit especially misses her father, who taught her how to solve puzzles, and isn't thrilled to be going to the funeral of her grandfather Amos, with whom she has had little contact. He has provided her a decent amount of funding, which has caused various relatives to take her in, including Aunt Sora (Something or Another-- she doesn't bother to learn her real name), who accompanies her to the funeral in Scotland. Kit is rude to all of her relatives, but there are some bright sides to the funeral; she finds an artifact puzzle in the coffin (after creating a diversion by setting Gregor loose), and is one of the few people invited to a reading of the will at Hearthstone House. Once at the family estate, Kit is surprised to find that it is magical, and tended by a talking cat, Carmine, who claims to be the butler. The adults don't seem to notice that luggage magically puts itself away. Mr. Bird, Amos' lawyer, announced that there will be a contest, and the entire estate will go to whomever solves their own puzzle. Kit, who has little patience, sneaks off and starts her own investigation, finding a puzzle box in the library. She also meets her cousin, Harlow, who is constantly criticizing himself. He's the son of her uncle Elias, who has been running the family business. Harlow's sister, Elodie, is not friendly. While Kit is leery of her cousin, she does find his help useful as the two work through a lot of clues and deal with the other fortune hunters. They do unearth a number of family mysteries, including the existence of a brother of Amos', Ambrose, of whom the family is unaware. After finding the bodies of family members "killed" by the curse, Kit discovers that she is a curse breaker, and may be able to save the family from losing a member every year. Readers will have to wait until the summer of 2027 when THE HEARTHSTONE HUNT is published to find out more about these developments.
Strengths: The backstory of the Devlins is well developed, and aside from Kit's grief over her father's death, the family does move forward despite their multiple losses. There's a bit of a mystery over whether or not there is any money left in the family, and the magical elements are not appreciated by all family members, which gave this an interesting layer. Kit has to navigate difficult family dynamics and try to determine whom to trust. The house is very fantastical, and Carmine feels very much like the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland; he seems to be helpful, but cannot be relied upon. I am curious to see where this series leads.
Weaknesses: Kit is a difficult character to like, but readers who have Goth aspirations will enjoy her more. I am not a fan of puzzles in books, and would have preferred more of a plot rather than the various artifacts and clues. I liked the characters and plot of Ravenfall a bit more, but I can see this being popular with readers who like puzzles.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed Reese's Puzzleheart, Milford's Greenglass House, Guterson's Winterhouse, or Currie's The Mystery of the Locked Rooms or other books that involve interesting houses and long kept secrets.
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[Mark Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

What worked:
Grimlore Manor is a magical house, although none of the characters are stereotypical back-stabbing relatives. The curse causes scenes to change and memories to be shared. These visions offer information that can be used to solve puzzles and end the Grimlore Game. Kit is shocked to see a fancy-dressed cat open the front door when she first arrives, and even more surprised to learn no one else can see him. Carmine is an aloof character and feels no need to speak with Kit. Her luggage floats up to her suite, and meals are prepared by bowls and utensils guided by Carmine’s instructions. Kit’s best friend is a tarantula named Gregor with an insatiable love for sweets. He’s not magical, but he adds color to the story.
Kit is full of emotions that will take readers on a rollercoaster adventure. Her parents were victims of the curse, and Kit desperately misses her father. They used to solve all kinds of puzzles together, and Kit uses that knowledge to unlock new clues. She doesn’t really have a home anymore, since her relatives only tolerate her because she might inherit Amos’s money. Kit doesn’t hide her disdain for them, and they treat her like a rude, disobedient little girl. Readers will wonder what will become of Kit once the Grimlore Game concludes. No one shows her any kindness, so who will become her new guardian? Kit slowly comes to realize the game may be more about solving the curse than locating the family wealth.
Mystery and puzzle lovers should enjoy this book, as that’s the driving force of the plot. All of the Devlin relatives gather for the reading of their grandfather’s will, hoping to inherit his wealth. Kit never met the man, but he seemed to favor her over all of her aunts and uncles. She encounters a puzzle box, riddles, and other confusing clues that lead to other mysteries. Kit gets reluctant help from her cousin Harlow, but he has low self-esteem and is afraid of almost everything. Initially, Kit thinks she needs to do everything herself, but she’s forced to admit she needs Harlow. All the while, Kit doesn’t understand why her Grandfather Amos took an interest in her.
What didn’t work as well:
Excerpts from “A Guide to Curses” follow some of the chapters. They often repeat information readers already know, but they also add some food for thought. However, they don’t add much to the overall story.
The final verdict:
The book’s charm comes from Kit’s journey to break the curse and find a home where she can feel wanted and safe. The search for clues will appeal to mystery lovers, and the plot builds to an unexpected resolution. I recommend you try this book for yourself!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gr 3 & Up – Kit Devlin is an orphan who has spent her life after her father died being passed from one disinterested family member to another. At her grandfather’s funeral, the reading of his will reveals that the family must compete for their inheritance through a series of puzzles and trials. Kit soon discovers that the game is about far more than money. It may be the key to freeing her family from a generations-old curse. As the competition unfolds, it becomes increasingly difficult to know whom to trust, what is truly cursed, and how to survive the challenges set before her.

This fantastical series opener establishes a macabre world of curses, ley lines, and tangled family machinations. Kit is a strong heroine with a pet tarantula, Grimlore Manor boasts a cat butler, and the story is packed with secret passages and puzzles waiting to be solved. Readers will enjoy the novel’s dark whimsy, which evokes shades of Wednesday and A Series of Unfortunate Events. Fun and compelling, the story delivers a satisfying conclusion to its central mystery while leaving the door wide open for future installments and plenty of delicious plot threads to explore.

VERDICT: A recommended purchase for middle grade collections. An excellent choice for readers who enjoy puzzle-filled mysteries, eccentric fantasy, and stories that are darkly atmospheric without becoming frightening.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read this was! The Grimlore Game by Kalyn Josephson takes readers on an adventure that includes curses, magic, a talking cat, puzzles and plenty of family drama. Kit, our main character, is an orphan who's passed around between family members because she comes with money for her care. However, no one REALLY wants her and she's feeling the weight of being alone. When her grandfather passes, the entire Devlin clan gathers together for his funeral - something they NEVER do because a Devlin dies every three years from a family curse. As the family gathers, eager to know what happens to all the money, they quickly learn only a select few family members have been invited to come hear the will - and Kit is one of them.

What follows is a story full of twists and turns, set in a Scottish manor with rooms that behave mysteriously, plenty of puzzles to solve, scheming family members to get to know, and a talking cat that runs the house. (Literally. He's the butler and cook, all rolled into one.) I enjoyed the evolving story and found Kit to be a really interesting protagonist who is trying to find her place in a world that doesn't seem to have space for her.

This book is part of a series and I'm excited to see what comes next!

[SueB50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of The Grimlore Games by Kalyn Josephson.

I loved The Inheritance Games series, so when I saw this one and heard it had a similar feel, I knew I had to read it. I loved this book!! I am already waiting for the next one.

There is lots of magic, curses, and so many puzzles to figure out. Kit has been passed from one relative to the next after her father died, and now she has to win the Grimlore Games to inherit the family fortune. If she doesn't, she could end up out on the streets. The problem is that she's competing against a bunch of selfish, evil relatives who only care about themselves.

My favorite character was the talking cat. What a fantastic character! I laughed out loud at his attitude so many times. And did I mention Kit has a pet tarantula? He loves cake, which cracked me up every time it came up.

There's also a cousin with so many phobias that I lost count, and every challenge seemed to bring a new surprise.

If you like magical competitions, family drama, puzzles, curses, and characters you'll fall in love with, I HIGHLY recommend this one. I can't wait for the next book!

[Alison Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me a free ARC of this book to read!
I really enjoyed The Grimlore Game! As soon as I read the description for the book and saw that it was compared to the Mr. Lemoncello books, I knew I had to check it out for myself (I'm a BIG fan of middle grade books with lots of puzzles and mystery themes in them).
The Grimlore Game follows our main character, Kit, who gives off very strong Wednesday Addams vibes, as she's trying to adjust to living with yet another one of her aunts since her father was claimed by the family curse. Then one day, her grandfather passes away and has requested that everyone attend a funeral for him, which isn't a customary thing to do in the family anymore. While at the funeral, Kit discovers a strange symbol in her grandfather's casket and then everything changes.
My only complaint is that now I have to wait a year to read the next book in the series! I can't wait to see what comes next for Kit and her family.

[Pamela Sewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Net Galley eARC. Thirteen year old Kit Devlin finds herself being passed from one unwilling relative to another following the death of her parents to the Devlin family curse. Feeling dejected and isolated Kit is eccentric, prickly but very clever her only friend her pet tarantula Gregor who has a fondness for sweets. Following her grandfather's death she finds herself in completion for the inheritance by solving a series of puzzles and clues he has left behind. Grimlore Manor is the classic gothic setting and despite many characters being stereotypes a few save the day. Many of my friends tease me as I read a lot of middle grade novels but I read for story. Truthfully many of these are just cracking good yarns with fun characters and adventures. Kit's search for a home and connection are poignant but all ends well. A heart warming and engaging store that stimulated the mind and emotions.

[Sabrina Lemus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kit has been passed between Devlin family members following her father’s death feeling like she has no one left. When her grandfather passes away and she is invited to the family manor to participate in puzzles to win the inheritance she makes it her mission to win to be able to keep having a home. We follow Kit as she slowly uncovers her family’s curse and trying to solve the puzzles to the inheritance.

Ok this was so much fun. I was not sure what to expect since it is a middle grade book, but this was well written and fun to read. This was my first book by Kalyn Josephson and I cannot wait to read more from her and to see where this series continues.

I would recommend it to anyone who wants a fun book with a bit of mystery, suspense and enjoys riddles and puzzles.

**Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this ARC in exchange for my honest review**

[LL Garland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kit Devlin is not only an orphan, but a misfit, especially within her cutthroat, cursed family. When the family’s patriarch dies, he leaves a game for the Devlins to compete for his fortune. To ensure her future, Kit must focus on solving her grandfather’s puzzles first despite devious aunts, an interfering cousin, a sarcastic cat butler, and a cursed manor house. In the process, she begins to unravel the truth of the Devlin curse.

The Grimlore Game is a delightfully dark mystery in the tradition of Wednesday. Not only is the central puzzle intriguing, but Kit’s character arc is surprisingly poignant. I loved the growth and change she went through over the course of this story and I can’t wait to see where she goes in Book Two.

Thank you to Random House Children’s and NetGalley for providing the e-arc for my honest review.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightfully weird and fun Middle Grade book! I wasn't sure what to think when I started reading as the setup made me a little worried I wouldn't like it, but I should have trusted Josephson, because in the end I really enjoyed this book.

Imagine going to the one and only funeral your family has EVER held, for a grandpa you've never met, and it turns into a selected few get to participate in a scavenger hunt/puzzle race through a magical house for the family legacy?! While this will make Carmine annoyed, I adored them as a character and they play the perfect part in Kit's hero journey.

I think Middle Grade readers are going to love this one and I can't wait to see where this series goes.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Random House Children's Books, and Delacorte Press in exchange for an honest review.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to an Advanced Reader Copy through the Page Turner's Program at our local bookstore, Village Well and Books, my 10 year old was able to read this novel. Here is his review:

Get ready for a page turner with this five star book by Kalyn Josephson, who creates a gothic world full of alarming, mystical creatures, mindbending puzzles, and a talking feline butler as protagonist Kit Devlin tries to break the family curse. Kit is an orphan who has been passed around among distant family members and treated unfairly like a rude and defiant little girl. As Kit catches on to the fact that the game has more to it than initially thought, she realizes she not only has to survive her competition, but she must end the game.

[Karen Huerta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a new magical series to read? This might just be the one for you! It is filled with curses, magic, puzzles, a talking cat, and a pet tarantula. Follow along as Kit is challenged with finding a way to break the horrible curse that brings untimely death to the family. She is transported to her grandfather’s castle in Scotland where she must solve a series of puzzles in order to find the cure. Can Kit get the job done? Will she find a new friend in her cousin Harlow? Read along to find out. I am already excited about book 2 and it won’t be here until 2027!

[Azriel B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you for this book NetGalley it was a great read. Now this book feels like if Avery from The Inheritance Games was younger. It didn't feel the same but I feel like when younger reads read this they can go onto The Inheritance Games as there next read. The pacing was quiet fast which I loved I liked the feel of a escape room. The rush of the riddles the race against time. Felt like I was in an escape room myself. I will be looking out for the next one.

[Shannon]

I enjoyed this middle grade paranormal mystery that has a young orphan who discovers she's the last curse breaker in her family trying to break their curse. With the help of a spunky cat familiar and her timid, afraid-of-everything cousin, Kit takes on the task of solving a series of puzzles, uncovering more family secrets and unleashing something even larger onto a nearby town. I can't wait to read the next book featuring Kit and her friends. Perfect for younger readers who like puzzles and books like The inheritance games.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a middle school teacher, and our school had the pleasure of hosting the author, Kalyn Josephson, to give a talk about this book. She was very friendly and gracious and gave a great presentation and Q and A.

As for the book itself— my 10 year old son and I both read it, and we both really enjoyed it and want to continue reading the series as the sequels come out.
I thought it was fun and imaginative, as well as thoughtful and emotional, and had good lessons for kids and young teens. I’m interested to see where the story goes from here!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Random House Children's Books. All opinions are my own. Thank you to them.

This was an exciting new story from Kalyn Josephson. I was immediately immersed in the world and really felt for our FMC and her struggle of loss. The puzzles and mystery were fun but the names of her family members were a bit hard to keep track of. I am looking forward to continuing the series.

[Bibliohiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. I’ve been enjoying reading about riddles and puzzles and this was another fun read. I like how Kit is determined to solve the puzzles along the way and how she sticks up for her cousin. She learns about herself along the way and finds out who is really there for her. I can’t wait to read the sequel!

[Mimayk Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐ - I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the gothic vibes!! I kind of wish there was more of it! The story was really good. I didn’t think there was going to be magic and everything, but that’s what made it better. All of the characters were perfect and so was the mystery! I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

[Alexander Graul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very exciting and fun to read if you love magic and fantasy

[miki larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clue meets the Addams Family with a touch of magic. Quirky and mysterious, I had so much fun with this book and can’t wait for the next one!

[Paul Renaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magic, curses, and Wednesday Adams solving puzzles in a Scottish Manor.

[Brooke Havens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pre-read this for my kids. It's like the Inheritance Games but for kids. It was pretty entertaining for me too. I will definitely finish the series and buy for my kids.

[Christina Marie Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for an e-galley copy of The Grimlore Games by Kalyn Josephson to read and review!

I thoroughly enjoyed this super fun, fast paced middle grade read reminiscent of The Inheritance Games!

Join orphan Kit Devlin on her quest to break her family's curse as tries to beat her devious relatives in a race through a dangerous magical game full of twists, turns, and curse creatures to win her grandfather's fortune.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a middle school teacher, I find myself reading a lot of YA fiction. This progressed quickly, not a lot of dilly dallying around. Perfect for the age group, since you need to keep their attention! I’m looking forward to book 2 once it comes out - I like the characters and want to see more of them. As a millennial, I especially want to see more from our talking cat friend!